YOASOBI – Idol [from “Oshi No Ko”]. Lyrics & Meaning
YOASOBI – Idol : The Beautiful, Complicated Lie of a Perfect Star
Ever scroll through social media and see that one person? You know the one. Their life looks flawless, every photo is perfect, and they seem to be radiating pure, unfiltered happiness 24/7. Part of you is amazed, but another, smaller part can’t help but wonder… how much of it is real? Now, imagine that feeling, but magnify it by a million, add in stadium-sized crowds, intense choreography, and the pressure of an entire industry. That’s the world of a pop idol. And let me tell you, one song absolutely demolishes this concept, peeling back the glittering curtain in the most brilliant and heartbreaking way possible. We’re about to dive deep into a track that’s more than just a catchy tune; it’s a whole narrative.
Diving Into the Dazzling Deception of YOASOBI’s “Idol”
If you’ve been anywhere near the internet lately, you’ve probably heard “Idol” by YOASOBI. It’s the explosive opening for the anime Oshi no Ko, and it’s an absolute banger. But underneath that electrifying beat and Ayase’s genius production is a story that’s both tragic and incredibly compelling. The song is written from the perspective of the show’s central character, Ai Hoshino, a legendary idol with a universe of secrets. It’s all about the mask she wears and the person hiding underneath.
The song kicks off by painting a picture of this perfect being, someone who commands the media with just a smile. She’s a mystery everyone wants to solve.
Muteki no egao de arasu media
With an invincible smile, you rock the media
Shiritai sono himitsu misuteriasu
I want to know your mysterious secret
Nuketeru toko sae kanojo no eria
Even your flaws are part of your area
Kanpeki de usotsukina kimi wa
- YOASOBI – Watch Me! : A Sweet Symphony of Beautifully Chaotic Love
- YOASOBI – Idol [from “Oshi No Ko”] : The Beautiful, Complicated Lie of a Perfect Star
Tensai-tekina aidoru-sama
Are a genius idol-sama
Right from the start, we get this clash of words: “perfect” and “liar.” That’s the core of the whole song. Her perfection isn’t natural; it’s constructed. Even her supposed “flaws” are calculated parts of her brand, making her seem relatable without ever being truly vulnerable.
The Art of Answering Nothing
Then comes the fan Q&A section, which is just brilliant. The questions are so simple, so human. They’re the kind of things you’d ask a friend to get to know them better. But her answers? They’re pure deflection.
Kyō nani tabeta? Sukina hon wa?
What did you eat today? What’s your favorite book?
Asobi ni ikunara doko ni iku no?
If you go out for fun, where do you go?
Nani mo tabetenai. Sore wa naisho
I haven’t eaten anything. That’s a secret
Nani o kikarete mo, Norari kurari
No matter what I’m asked, I dodge the question
She gives them nothing. It’s a performance of accessibility without any actual access. This creates an irresistible mystique. The more she hides, the more people want to know. Her most powerful lie, though, is the one that hooks everyone.
「Dareka o suki ni naru koto nante watashi wakaranakute sa」
“I don’t know what it means to fall in love with someone”
Uso ka hontō ka shiri enai
You can’t know if it’s a lie or the truth
Sonna kotoba ni mata hitori ochiru
With those words, another one falls
Mata suki ni sa seru
And I make them fall in love with me again
This is the masterstroke. She claims she can’t love, making every fan feel like they could be the one to teach her. But the chilling part is that this particular “lie” is actually her deepest truth. She’s never experienced genuine love, so she uses a twisted version of that truth as the ultimate tool for her act. It’s a lie built on a painful reality.
The Cracks in the Diamond: Perfection and Resentment
Of course, no one can be that perfect without causing a little jealousy. The song’s second verse shifts perspective, and you can almost hear the bitter whispers of other idols or industry insiders. They see her as this untouchable, special case, while they’re just “supporting characters.”
Hai hai anoko wa tokubetsu desu
Yes, yes, that girl is special
Wareware wa Hana kara omake desu
We’re just the extras from the start
Ohoshi-sama no hikitateyaku B desu
We are supporting character B to the star
Netami shitto nante nai wakenai
Of course there’s jealousy and envy
Karakoso yurusenai
That’s why it’s unforgivable
This part highlights the immense pressure. The resentment isn’t just aimed at her; it’s a reflection of the industry’s impossible standards. They can’t forgive her for being anything less than perfect because that would mean the whole system they’re fighting in is flawed. And more importantly, she can’t forgive herself for any weakness.
A Lie Forged into a Form of Love
This is where the song’s message gets incredibly deep. Ai knows her career is built on a fabrication. Her “I love you” to the fans is a lie, but it’s a lie she commits to with everything she has. In a strange, twisted way, this dedication becomes her version of love.
Aishiteru tte uso de tsumu kyaria
A career built on the lie of “I love you”
Korekoso watashi nari no ai da
This is my own form of love
Nagareru ase mo kireina akua
Even my flowing sweat is beautiful aqua
Rubī o kakushita kono mabuta
These eyelids that hide the ruby
Sō uso wa tobikiri no ai da
Yes, a lie is the ultimate love
She’s not just deceiving people for fame. She’s pouring her entire being into this performance, turning her sweat into “beautiful aqua” and her lies into the “ultimate love.” It’s a sacrifice. She gives the world a perfect idol, and in return, she gives up her own chance at authentic connection and emotion.
The final part of the song is where it all comes crashing down with a beautiful, gut-wrenching realization. She hopes, she truly believes, that one day her lies will become the truth. That she’ll finally be able to genuinely love the people she’s been saying it to all along. And in the narrative of Oshi no Ko, this desire crystallizes in the love she feels for her own children, the only people she can finally be real with.
Sonna watashi no uso ga itsuka hontō ni naru koto
That someday my lies will become the truth
Shinjiteru
I believe it
…
Yatto ieta
I finally said it
Kore wa zettai uso janai
This is definitely not a lie
Aishiteru
I love you
That final “I love you” hits differently from all the others. After an entire song about deception, we finally get one declaration that feels completely, utterly real. It’s the payoff for her entire struggle.
The message behind “Idol” is a powerful one. It’s a commentary on fame, the nature of truth, and the incredible sacrifices made for a dream. But it also holds a surprisingly optimistic view: that even something that starts as a lie, if pursued with enough passion and hope, can eventually blossom into something true. It’s a reminder that the performance of love and the real thing are sometimes separated by a very thin line.
So, what’s your take on it? When you listen to “Idol,” do you just hear a great pop song, or do you feel the weight of Ai’s story behind every word? Maybe you see a different meaning in her lies. Let’s talk about it!
